AVES ISLAND. . 145 



department is satisfied tliat I have already furnislied more than suf- 

 ficient on all the points involved. I feel happy that I am relieved 

 from the task of procuring any additional proofs, though if I err in my 

 construction of your remark and am so advised, and that the depart- 

 ment desires further proofs on any point, I will cheerfully furnish it if 

 the suggestion is made before the witnesses are scattered. 

 . I inclose another printed copy of Mr. McCahes deposition, to which 

 the certificate is not appended. 



I am much obliged for the copy of the very extraordinary letter of 

 Lang & Delano upon the subject of Lang & Delano's claim, (of the 

 the contents of which I had been previously advised otherwise.) So 

 far as it interferes with that of my clients, I may address the depart- 

 ment fully later. 



You did not notice the receipt of the copy of Captain Wheeler's con- 

 tract with Lang & Delano : as it was attached to my letter I presume 

 you did not overlook it. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



H. S. SANFOED. 



Hon. J. A. Thomas, 



Assistant Secretary cf State. 



Mr. Sanford to Mr. Marcy. 



Derby, Connecticut, July 15, 1856. 



Sir : Information received from my clients in the Shelton's Isle case 

 (P. S. Shelton and Sampson & Tappan, of Boston) induces me to fulfill 

 what I consider to be a bounden duty, viz : to request that their claim 

 should not in any manner or form be connected with that of Lang & 

 Delano, or any other persons who have preferred claims relating to 

 that isle. 



In a letter dated 14th January last, you were advised of the wish 

 that these claims should be kept disconnected, and we then refused to 

 have any concern with the others. AVe trust that the depositions and 

 proofs we have procured and filed will not be allowed to be used by the 

 other parties to supply their own negligence or inability to get proofs ; 

 and above all, we trust that our business will in no respect be mingled 

 or mixed up with the others. 



These claims are separate and distinct, and in some respects are 

 adverse to each other. At a proper time, when our interests more than 

 now may demand such a course, we may furnish some testimony as to 

 some of the other claims, showing the propriety of our urging the right 

 of having ours kept distinct from all others. We know it is just, 

 honest, and reasonable, and desire it considered by itself, and not con- 

 taminated or prejudiced by others. 



I may state as one reason for this course, that it is our determina- 

 tion, if Venezuela does not, between this and the next session of Con- 

 gress, make proper reparation for the outrage committed upon our 

 property in December, 1854, to seek the power of obtaining redress 

 from Congress. Of the particulars of our injuries, the department was 

 Ex. Doc. 10 10 



